Broadway's My Beat: The Joan Gale Murder Case (EP4553)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Broadway's My Beat: The Joan Gale Murder Case (EP4553)
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Original Air Date: January 21, 1950
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Series: Broadway's My Beat
Detective: Danny Clover (Portrayed by Larry Thor)

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Introduction to the Case

In this riveting episode of Broadway's My Beat, Detective Danny Clover is thrust into the heart of a mysterious murder on the bustling streets of Broadway. The case revolves around Joan Gale, a woman found dead with a bullet wound to her heart in a florist's shop. As Clover delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deceit, blackmail, and hidden motives that paint a complex picture of the victim's life and those connected to her.

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Initial Investigation

The episode opens with Detective Clover arriving at the flower shop, where he confronts Mr. Kuppelheim, the florist, about the sudden murder of Joan Gale. Tensions rise as Clover presses Kuppelheim for information, uncovering that the victim was not a regular customer and prompting Clover to question the shop's clerk, Roy Austin.

Detective Danny Clover (00:43): "A girl has been murdered, Mr. Kuppelheim. Is that all it does to you?"

Clover's interrogation reveals inconsistencies in the alibis of both Kuppelheim and Austin, hinting at deeper involvement or secrets within the flower shop.

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Unraveling Clues

Clover's investigation leads him to the Dunhill Apartments, Joan Gale's residence, where he interacts with Frank Shepard, a suspicious individual connected to Joan. Shepard's evasive behavior and cryptic statements only deepen the mystery.

Detective Danny Clover (07:10): "I talked to a man because the yawning young woman at the desk just yawned and shook her head... She pointed at a potted palm of the man sitting beside it who I should talk to."

As Clover pieces together Joan Gale's life, he discovers fragments of her past and connections that may hold the key to her murder. Sergeant Tattaglia at headquarters provides additional insights, suggesting that both Kuppelheim and Austin have motives that need further exploration.

Sergeant Tattaglia (09:43): "This is John Gale, Danny. She had a slight record in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for disturbances of the peace... "

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A New Suspect Emerges

The plot thickens when Mrs. Amelia Ripley steps into the investigation, revealing her husband's, John Ripley's, clandestine relationship with Joan Gale. Ripley's sudden protective measures and cryptic behavior raise suspicions about his involvement.

Mrs. Amelia Ripley (10:25): "Revenge is a funny word to be coming out of a housewife's mouth, isn't it?"

Clover's interactions with Ripley uncover a tangled relationship between Ripley, Gale, and the clerk Roy Austin, leading to the revelation of blackmail being a significant motive behind the murder.

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The Climax: Unmasking the Culprit

As tension builds, Detective Clover confronts Roy Austin, who becomes increasingly defensive and erratic. The confrontation reaches its peak when Austin, under pressure, confesses to orchestrating the Blackmail scheme involving John Ripley and Joan Gale.

Detective Danny Clover (19:16): "You saw a chance for blackmail, didn't you? Big, fat blackmail."

In a dramatic turn, Sergeant Tattaglia reveals discrepancies in the timeline, suggesting that both Ripley and Gale may have had a hand in each other's demise, creating a complex double-murder scenario.

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Resolution and Aftermath

The episode culminates in a tense showdown where Detective Clover faces off with Roy Austin. In a moment of high drama, Austin attempts to take Clover's life but ultimately fails, leading to his demise. Clover reflects on the nature of Broadway—a place of both glamour and darkness—tying together the intricate threads of the case.

Detective Danny Clover (27:45): "Joan Gale was a sinner too, wasn't she?"

The resolution leaves listeners pondering the moral complexities of the characters involved and the often-blurred lines between right and wrong in the shadowy corridors of Broadway.

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Host’s Insights

At the conclusion of the episode, host Adam Graham provides a thoughtful commentary on the opening scene, praising its evocative portrayal reminiscent of film noir. He also notes the inclusion of credits in this episode, a departure from previous broadcasts, possibly due to archival omissions.

Podcast Host (32:36): "I really loved the opening scene. It was such an evocative scene. It really painted a picture like a film noir."

Graham further acknowledges the support of Patreon contributors, emphasizing the community's role in sustaining the podcast and encouraging listeners to engage through ratings and reviews.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Detective Danny Clover (00:43): "A girl has been murdered, Mr. Kuppelheim. Is that all it does to you?"

• Sergeant Tattaglia (09:43): "This is John Gale, Danny. She had a slight record in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for disturbances of the peace..."

• Mrs. Amelia Ripley (10:25): "Revenge is a funny word to be coming out of a housewife's mouth, isn't it?"

• Detective Danny Clover (19:16): "You saw a chance for blackmail, didn't you? Big, fat blackmail."

• Detective Danny Clover (27:45): "Joan Gale was a sinner too, wasn't she?"

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Conclusion

Broadway's My Beat: The Joan Gale Murder Case offers a classic detective narrative filled with suspense, intricate character dynamics, and unexpected twists. Through Detective Danny Clover's relentless pursuit of the truth, listeners are immersed in a tale that captures the essence of old-time radio mysteries. Adam Graham's insightful commentary enhances the listening experience, making this episode a standout in the podcast's extensive lineup.

For those new to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, this episode exemplifies the engaging storytelling and rich, atmospheric production that have made the podcast a beloved resource for fans of vintage detective dramas.

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Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

Week on the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, boy. Yes, Mr. Finley. Where are you, boy?

[Mr. Finley]

What about my house?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, I'll tell you Mr. Finley. Where's your word? You said you'd be over with a down payment. What are you made of, boy?

[Frank Shepard]

Rock, maple or pint?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Something has come up, Mr. Finley.

[Frank Shepard]

I got 15 people after this house.

[Podcast Host]

Listen to the Old Time radio snack wagon, snackwagon.net or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

SA.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we'll be getting into this week's episode of Broadway's My B. If you are enjoying the podcast, follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis using a Zelle app to send a box [e-mail] but now we'll get into today's episode. The original air date is January 21, 1950. That's two weeks later than last week, but there was just a preemption, so no missing episode. The title of the episode is the Joan Gale Murder Case.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway's My Beat With Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Broadway. It's a bet you make against the dealers of night on the blood red of neon, on the black of the searching wind and the circle spins a whirlpool of gleaming laughter and splintered whispers of shrieking steel and the silence of stone. You pray for a wind but it's no good. The red pays off in stained hands and the black with dust in your mouth. That's how it falls on Broadway, my beat. At 4:00 in the morning, Broadway is still. The spectaculars drowse and the neons yawn. The sounds of the city whisper into the darkness and last night's headlines fight a losing battle with the wind. Then it's a burglar alarm from a Flower shop and it's tearing its heart out. The cold, winking light of the florist sign Found her face then lost it in the shadows, then found it again. She sat privily in a wicker chair through which garlands of camellias and shining green leaves had been woven. Her hand had been pricked by the thorn of a rose she held and when the light found her eyes again they were mocking and slying.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Hey.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Hey, what goes on here, huh?

[Frank Shepard]

Oh, hi, Danny. What makes. I heard a burglar alarm.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Someone tripped it on their way out the back door.

[Frank Shepard]

Oh. And left this dame here to heist rose petals.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Patrol and Meshakov. Do something for me.

[Frank Shepard]

Sure, Danny. Want me to book her?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Call Homicide. Tell them there's been a murder.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Why, this is incredible, Mr. Clover.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Positively incredible.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Wait till the Florist association hears of this. I shall be blackballed.

[Detective Danny Clover]

A girl has been murdered, Mr. Kupflimon. In your shop. Is that all it does to you?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Please, Mr. Clover, don't teach me manners. I've been catering to weddings and funerals all my life.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Remind me to plant something in your lapel. You say you don't know this girl?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

No, no. Can't you do something about her, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Move her or something?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Oh, my beautiful blues. You take your filthy hands off those primroses to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Koppel, I'm. Pay attention to me. The primroses.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

This is an outrage. Making a shambles of my garden all because you can't solve a stinking murder of some burglar of a girl.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Don't press me, Kapelheim. I could forget. It says in the book I'm a gentleman.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

I know nothing about this. Mr. Clover. Why, why don't you. Inquisition. My clerk, he closed the shop. He was here all evening. I've never trusted him. Never.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Nice boss you got, huh, Mr. Austin? The feeling mutual.

[Mr. Finley]

There is mistrust and fright and kindness in all of us, Mr. Clover. Has it not been written in the book?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, yeah. What time did you close the shop, Mr. Austin?

[Mr. Finley]

At 11. I always close it for Mr. Kuppelheim at 11.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And this girl? We found her to be a Miss Joan Gail of the Dunhill Apartments. Does that mean anything to you?

[Mr. Finley]

Nothing, I'm afraid. If she were a customer, I'd know it. I wait on people and deliver. And I have a good memory. Mr. Clover, this lady was never in our shop.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why should someone bring her here to kill her?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Oh, yes, that's a wonderful question, Mr. Clover. I wonder you hadn't thought of it before. May I go home now?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It hurts me to say this, but no. Your primroses will need you. And so it began. The questions and answers that a cop scribbles into his little black book against such a time when he can set up a file at headquarters labeled Joan Gale, death by murder. The coroner said she was killed by a bullet in her heart. That made me all of a sudden a philosopher. I had to inquire into what set of circumstances put the bullet there at that time in that place. The next morning I went to the Dunhill apartments because Joan Gale's purse said she lived there. I talked to a man because the yawning young woman at the desk just yawned and shook her head, then yawned some more and pointed at a potted palm of the man sitting beside it who I should talk to. Good morning. My name's Danny Clover.

[Frank Shepard]

That's nice. You got some beef? Maybe see the girl at the desk?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I did. She's sleepy.

[Frank Shepard]

Ah, you're a real quick lad. So?

[Detective Danny Clover]

So that makes me an observant cop.

[Frank Shepard]

Cop, huh? Well, that makes my name Frank Shepard, house man. Let's see your buzzer, friend, so I can have a genuine feeling about you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. Here.

[Mr. Finley]

Yeah?

[Frank Shepard]

I did something you don't like.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Joan Gale. I want to look at her room.

[Frank Shepard]

Okay, Come on. She did something bad. Go ahead, shock me. What'd she do bad?

[Detective Danny Clover]

She got murdered.

[Frank Shepard]

Bad as that, huh? That's sad. Real sad.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Man. Here.

[Frank Shepard]

Joint screams at you, don't it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's too dark to tell. Turn on the lights, Frank.

[Frank Shepard]

Sure. Better.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, blue lights.

[Frank Shepard]

What do you know that that means something?

[Detective Danny Clover]

She have many friends, Frank? Callers.

[Frank Shepard]

Tell you the truth about that, Clover. Joan Gale never made me look up from narration for him or friends neither. I wouldn't know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So no gentleman callers.

[Frank Shepard]

And I thought I was being clear as crystal. I wouldn't know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who are you?

[Frank Shepard]

All right, rummy. Outside. You want to give this policeman a bad impression? Downhill apartments.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Wait a minute. Who's this guy, Frank?

[Frank Shepard]

Refugee from 109 down the hall. He greets the gladsome day with a crock. Yesterday stumbled into Mrs. Stutman's room while she had her hair in the henna. Didn't you, John? Huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Frank Shepard]

Me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, tell your friend mister, that today.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

You met good old John.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, that makes you want to fix my tie, huh?

[Frank Shepard]

Come on, come on. Good old John boy baby pally outside.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Good old fr. I watched old Frank boy push his pally on his face into Pally's home in 109. Then Frank Boy came back and was the model of a house dick with the economy sized helping hand. We searched Joan Gale's apartment. Found a lot of things. Things that pieced together the life of Joan Gail by night and by day. Things that made Frank Boy all happy inside. But there was nothing that added up to her dying in a bed of cut flowers. Back at headquarters. There were more fragments, more scraps of a woman's life. Sergeant Tattaglia offered them to me.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

This is John Gail, Danny. She had a slight record in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for disturbances of the peace. For questioning for. You know, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. The alibis of Kuppelheim and his clerk, Roy Austin. You had them checked?

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Oh, yeah, Danny, sure. It's just like this. Mr. Kuppelheim and Mr. Austin told you Kippelheim was in the sack. The cloak. Roy Austin closed up Kippelheim's flower shop at 11 o'clock, went home to the knowledge of his landlord, did not leave the premises till you rousted him out of bed to question him at said Koppelheim's Flower Shop.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How do you figure? Tattoo.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

You know, I'm glad you asked me, Danny, because I got a theory. Now, the way I picture this whole crime.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, pardon me.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Surely, Danny, go right ahead.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you. Danny Clover speaking.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

They told me you were handling the Joan Gale murder. Mr. Clover. I believe I can help you with this.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who is this?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Mrs. Amelia Ripley. 1219 Smedley Place, in Forest Hills. Mr. Clover, I can expect you immediately.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yes, thank you, Mr. Clover.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Now, as I was saying, Danny.

[Frank Shepard]

Right here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Keep it on ice. Tortugli. I'll come back for it.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Yes, what is it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm Danny Clover. I'm from the police. Mrs. Ripley called.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I'm Mrs. Ripley. Please come in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

You won't mind? Well, that is, I hope you won't mind if we sit in the kitchen and talk.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not at all.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

This way. You see, it's the maid's day off and I'm cooking a hollandaise sauce on the stove batter. And the Mixmaster looks about done. It's the sauce that needs attention. Sit here, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks. You said something about Joan Gale, Mrs. Ripley?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I never saw her in my life, Mr. Clover. But I knew her.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I don't understand.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Have a cup of coffee, Mr. Clover. I knew her because my husband knew her.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, I see.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Of course, you don't see. My husband sees her, then comes home to me. He comes home and strokes my hair and calls me wonderful names that I thought he forgot.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And he kisses me, Mrs. Ripley.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I found out about Joan Gale months ago. I've always known it was a woman, but I just happened to find out her name was Joan Gale.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why are you telling me?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Revenge is a funny word to be coming out of a housewife's mouth, isn't it? My husband is mixed up with a woman who's been murdered. I wonder whether I'm going to laugh or cry at what he suffers for it. It's important to me to know which I'll do. Pardon me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where's your husband now, Mrs. Ripley?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

He called a few minutes ago. He said he was at his place of business, the Ripley Shoe Distributing business on East 37th.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, thanks, Mrs. Ripley. I'll talk to him.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I'll show you to the door, I think. I'm glad I Talked to you, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, you did the right thing. This your husband? This picture on the bookcase.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Yes, that's John. Good old John, he likes to call himself.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why, Mr. Clover, does he drink?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Why do you ask? Oh, but, no, he doesn't drink, I'll say that for him. He doesn't touch a drop.

[Mr. Finley]

Mm.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Mr. Clover, it looks bad for John, doesn't it? It's possible that he killed the girl, isn't it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It not only was possible. From where I stood, it looked like a sure thing. The picture of the John Ripley on the bookcase was the same good old drunken John who had tried to tie my tie in Joan Gale's apartment. The same drunken John who never drank. His wife said I had to ask him about a little thing like that. About a lot of little things. Ripley. Ripley. No. Oh, no. The shoeboxes of the Ripley Shoe Distributing business lay in a crazy, wanton pattern around the body of John Ripley. On his face was a loose, embarrassed grin, as if he were ashamed of his clumsiness, ashamed of not knowing how to handle shoeboxes. Ashamed of his torn coat, his torn body, of the blood that crowded through the bullet hole in his chest. Now, there was nothing to ask of good old John. Nothing. Nothing at all. You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Broadway is a place that can get happy about a lot of things. A wrestler from Argentina who walks on his hands and wrestles with his feet. The honeymoon of Tess True heart and a couple of murders serve piping hot for dinner readings. It's the diet Broadway likes. It's a fine way to get fat. My part of it was serving up a few crumbs to the gentleman in the press room. An arrest is expected momentarily. I told them and dared them to make six paragraphs out of that. They did. And it came out saying the police had no idea who the killer was. Or as Sergeant Tattaglia phrased it, Danny.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

I don't have no idea who the killer is.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Last time I talked to you, Tattaglia, you said you had a theory about who killed Joan Gale and Mr. Ripley.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Danny, I got a confession to make.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Confession, huh? You killed him.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Ah, no, Danny, I had a theory. And I put it down on paper and added and subtracted. And the answer comes out that they killed each other. Only they died 12 hours apart.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's interesting. How did you arrive at that?

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Well, you see, Danny, you got company.

[Mr. Finley]

Danny, I've got to see you right away, Mr. Pobo.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, come in. Roy Austin, isn't it? Have a chair, Mr. Austin.

[Frank Shepard]

Thank you.

[Mr. Finley]

Thank you very much.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny, don't go to Taglia. This Mr. Austin, he's the clerk at Kapelheim's flower shop.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Hi, Mr. Austin.

[Mr. Finley]

How do you do?

[Detective Danny Clover]

What can I do for you, Mr. Austin?

[Mr. Finley]

I want you police to protect me. I. Yes, I demand it.

[Frank Shepard]

Why?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Are you afraid of something?

[Mr. Finley]

You would be too. Here, read this. It was slipped under my door at my rooming house.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh huh. Dear Roy Austin. Make no plans, Mr. Austin, because you will die within a day. Who'd want to write you a note like this? You know. Of course I don't.

[Mr. Finley]

That's your job, Mr. Clover. Doesn't that note tell you something?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not much, except that whoever wrote it tried to disguise his handwriting. That's pretty obvious.

[Mr. Finley]

Well, that may be, but it doesn't make me any the less frightened.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Austin, the Department will give you all the protection you need. How? One of our men will follow you wherever you go and will see.

[Mr. Finley]

That's not enough. I refuse to leave this building until you apprehend whoever wrote that note.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Austin, I refuse to leave this building. Okay, okay. Lock him up, Detective.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Sure, Danny, sure. Hey, Mr. Austin, you play canasta?

[Mr. Finley]

Uh, Idiot's delight.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Oh, a new game, huh? Well, maybe you can teach me. Where you going, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

To the Dunhill Apartments. There's a house detective there I gotta see. Maybe he can teach me.

[Frank Shepard]

What's the idea of busting in, comrade? With this you can get your face slapped, Comrade.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Turn around, Frank. I've got a complaint. I said turn your merry ground chair around.

[Frank Shepard]

The man with the buzzer. No offense, Clover. It's just I don't like things sneaking up behind my back. Complaint?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, big complaint.

[Frank Shepard]

You cooperative kind of louse, Clover. But not that cooperative. Explain it to me first. First tell me how Mrs. Shepherd's little boy has been naughty.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe you ought to stand up when I talk to you, Frank. Hope my words won't have so far to go. Sure, sure.

[Frank Shepard]

Anything you say, Mr. Clover. See, I'm standing. You gonna wrap my knuckles with the ruler, teacher?

[Detective Danny Clover]

That little play you staged, John Ripley. Four star, Frank.

[Frank Shepard]

I liked it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, it was real sincere. Good old John. Play act's a fine drunk. On cue, too.

[Frank Shepard]

You don't say. And all the time I thought good old John was crock to the ears. He wasn't drunk, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why did you throw him a cue, Frank boy?

[Frank Shepard]

You've been working too hard, Detective.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why did you do that, Frank boy? Why did you tell Ripley I was a cop before he needed to know? Why did you tell him to act drunk? So it could look like a big boozy mistake is coming into Joan Gale's apartment?

[Frank Shepard]

You need a place to lay your head, Detective.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Answer me, Frank boy. Answer me.

[Frank Shepard]

Then answer. You were crowning me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks, Frank boy. I was praying for that.

[Mr. Finley]

That's enough.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's enough. You didn't ask my question, Frank. You saw a chance for blackmail, didn't you? Big, fat blackmail. I told you Joan Gale had been murdered. You knew John Ripley was her boy, so you arranged the act. Did he pay off before he was murdered, Frank, because you were so nice to him?

[Frank Shepard]

Ripley murdered?

[Detective Danny Clover]

News to you, Frank?

[Frank Shepard]

Crossed my heart. Hope to die. I didn't know about it. Had nothing to do with it, what.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You had to do with Frank. Tell me about that. It was like you say.

[Frank Shepard]

Ripley was slipping me a little gratuity all along. Because he didn't want nobody to know about the Gail thing. When she was killed. The price went up for gratuities, that's all.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you get it? Yeah.

[Frank Shepard]

From his wife. He didn't have it with him that night you was here. He called his wife. She paid me off, took him home.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Don't tease me, Frank boy.

[Frank Shepard]

I swear it. I swear it on a stack. She took him home. Last time I saw Ripley, his wife was scratching his eyes out. And he was crying. On my honor. Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah? Get up off the floor, Frank. I want you to look nice for the boys at headquarters. Frank didn't look nice for the boys at headquarters. A guy like that could spend three hours with a barber, then dress in custom tailored clothes, and still he wouldn't look nice. Before I left headquarters, I looked in on the canasta game between Tattaglia and Roy Austin. Then took a ride out to the housewife. Mrs. Ripley. I couldn't make up my mind whether to be sorry for her. I wasn't sure whether she had anything to be sorry about.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I suppose you expected to see me in tears, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I wasn't sure. Just how do you feel about your husband's death?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Relieved, I think. Clean.

[Detective Danny Clover]

If you've got any conscience about lying to policemen, you've got to feel some remorse, too. And you lied. You didn't tell me about paying blackmail and bringing your husband home.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I didn't tell you, so I didn't lie.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We can group it under the general heading. Maybe this will do something to you. Mrs. Ripley, you're in a lot of trouble. How?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

How am I in trouble?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're a murder suspect. Oh, you'd be surprised, Mrs. Ripley. We've had other coffee drinkers murder people. Even a file on murderers who made fine hollandaise sauces.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Why should I?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why do murder, murderous kill? You had the motive. Joan Gale, because she got along so well with your husband. Your husband because he got along so well with Joan Gale.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Mr. Clover, listen to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right, Mr. Clover.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I first suspected my husband when he made an unnecessary trip to Scranton.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Scranton, huh?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Yes. John's business interested me. I knew all about it. So I knew he didn't have to go to Scranton on business.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go on.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

When he came back, he suddenly started to send me flowers. Just like that. Flowers? Several times a week. That way I knew exactly when he saw Joan by the flowers.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Flowers, huh? I suddenly make a stab in the dark. Flowers from Kapelheim?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Yes. Yes, that's right. Then when my husband was in trouble at the hotel, I went there and did what you said I did simply because once I married John.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You did that?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Then I brought him home. He told me everything that happened between Joan Gale and himself. Everything?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh huh.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Then he left. Then I called you. I called you because there was the matter of my self respect.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're telling me you didn't shoot either one?

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I didn't.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's a grocery store in the corner, Mrs. Ripley. You can go that far so you can get your coffee. I'm going where there's flowers. There might be an unfilled order there. Maybe you'll get some.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Heavens have brought me enough torment, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

My heart bleeds for you. Kapelheim. Put those prattles down and talk.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Gosh. It's no good. You've upset me so. Coming out to size. Just massacred.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How long have you had John Ripley? For a Custom.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

John Ripley. The Shoebox Murder keys. Oh, yeah, see, that is a thrilling.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How long was he your customer?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

And he began coming in about the time that clerk of mine started working for me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Roy Austin.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Yeah, they got along famously, those two. Always whispering about something or other. Then Mr. Ripley would place a very big order. I didn't really mind their whispering behind my back.

[Detective Danny Clover]

When did Roy Austin come to work for you?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Why, Mr. Groby, why do you ask? Is he in trouble? I told you I didn't trust him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Don't drool at the mouth couple. I'm just answering my question. When did Austin come to work?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

It was about three weeks ago. He came to me with a letter of recommendation from some queasy little shop in Scranton. I took the chance anyhow because I needed help so desperately.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Scranton? Do you have the letter?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Yes, yes, of course I have. Wait a minute. I'll find it here. Ah, yes, you did. Here you are.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hmm. I've seen this handwriting before. Where's your phone, Coppola?

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

It's right here in the county. It's a business phone, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. All right. I owe you a nickel.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

All right, not too long.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Saxon Tartaglia.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny Clover. Keep Austin happy. Tartaglia. I'm coming up to talk to him.

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Oh, you can't do that, Danny. Not here. I finally persuaded him it was safe. He should go home.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Sergeant Tattaglia]

Sure, Danny, sure. I talked a minute. He should go home. Took a lot of my most clever roosters, but I finally convinced him.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

You call headquarters, Danny, what's up?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe a guy who asked protection of the police. Mugavin just to throw the police off balance, huh? Maybe a killer. Let's call this corner house. Hey, Danny, look, guy, just don't jumped off the fire. Hey, that Tim Muggerman. Come on. In the alley I dropped. No, I'll fire over his head. Austin.

[Mr. Kuppelheim]

Austin, stop.

[Frank Shepard]

Hey, he ain't playing. There he goes, Danny. Turn in Amsterdam Avenue.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, we gotta catch him, Mugabin. We can't shoot in this crowd. Hey, hey, look, Danny. Into the building. He's running in there. I see him. In here.

[Mr. Finley]

I will meet.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I beg your pardon, lady. Did a man just come in here? A man in a gray sweater in him.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Through that door on the other side of the platform.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks. Stay here, Mag. Don't let him get out this way. Yeah, Danny, sure. Austin.

[Mr. Finley]

I'm up here, Mr. Clover. Somewhere here in the darkness. Think you can find me before I kill you?

[Detective Danny Clover]

His voice plunged down at me. Down through the shadows, down the long flight of Stairs. Roy was in darkness. That was the advantage he had. Every other step I took was lit up by the screaming light of a big electric sign flashing Revival tonight. It shouted through the window. Revival tonight.

[Mr. Finley]

Still alive, Mr. Clover? I'm still alive. All in one piece, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

For how long, Roy?

[Mr. Finley]

What's the matter, Mr. Clover? Out of bullet? Not a trick, is it? Because it'll do you no good.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Come down, Roy. My gun's empty.

[Mr. Finley]

Come to me, Mr. Clover. Up these stairs. Come to me. Pray, Mr. Clover. Pray for salvation. Because I'm going to hasten your debt with this gun. Because you're a sinner.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Joan Gale was a sinner too, wasn't she? Yes.

[Mr. Finley]

Yes, she was. She was my wife, Stratton.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you know that? No.

[Mr. Finley]

Yes, she was.

[Detective Danny Clover]

She was good.

[Mr. Finley]

Until Satan came for her.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That would be John Ripley.

[Mr. Finley]

Satan. He took her away from me. Then he came back and he told me where she was. Because he knew I would kill her. Because I am just. And the wages of sin are death.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you killed Ripley, Satan.

[Mr. Finley]

And now you, Mr. Clover. But you must accept death with innocence. Like the lamb. Throw your gun on the floor, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, I'll do that, Roy. Here. When I got to him, he was dead. His body lay crumpled and broken at the bottom of the stairwell. On his face, the last drop of ecstasy. The ecstasy he'd reserved for his own dying. When they came for him, it was still there, but frozen now. Different now, like some leering mask of evil. The night slips over Broadway like a black silk stocking splashed with sequins. And Broadway is as flashy as a showgirl on an after theater date. But it'll be daytime in a few hours and Broadway will wear a sleazy house dress and stand on street corners screaming. Day or night, it wears any face you look for. It's Broadway. My Beat. Broadway's My Beat. Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover and is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The musical score was composed by Alexander Courage and conducted by Wilbur Hatch and the program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The cast tonight included Charles Calvert, Irene Tedrow, Jerry Hausner, Howard McNear, Edgar Barrier, Herb Vigren and Jack Crucian. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Geico Advertiser]

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[Podcast Host]

Welcome back. I have to say that I really loved the opening scene. It was such an evocative scene. It really painted a picture like a film noir. Just very well done and beautiful use of language and a few sound effects. Also worth noting that even though this week's episode, like last week's, was an Armed Forces Radio Service episode, we got credits in this one, so don't know if that was omitted on the original AFRS broadcast or was missing from the transcription that last week's episode was taken from. At any rate, it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Joey. Joey's been one of our patreon supporters since June 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Joey. And that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat, but join us back here tomorrow for Mr. And Mrs. North. Where?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, I can hardly wait till we get home, darling.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Oh, that's love to hear our record.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, I can wait 20 years or so. Hey, our driver. Yes?

[Frank Shepard]

Maybe you ain't gonna get home.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What do you mean?

[Podcast Host]

We ain't alone.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Of course we're not. Pam's with us.

[Frank Shepard]

I meant in a sense, a car is following us.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ah, record collector, perhaps. Although we've heard of the new masterpiece rather quickly.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

Jerry, somebody is shooting at me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Don't be selfish. At us? Not a record collector. Maybe a collector of old automatics. The driver I hired. And they ain't mosquitters. Well, can't you speed up a bit? I can, but this hat can't. I'll take a look. They got the back window. Pam, get down the floor.

[Mrs. Amelia Ripley]

I will not. Then I'll never know what happened if.

[Detective Danny Clover]

One of these bullets did you.

[Podcast Host]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13REAT detectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Geico Advertiser]

How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car? Insurance. It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday indeed. Yep. Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico.